Drop If Exists Syntax

SQL Server 2016

• https://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/4402/new-drop-if-exists-syntax-in-sql-server-2016/

for a permanent table dbo.Scores you can use

IF OBJECT_ID('dbo.Scores', 'U') IS NOT NULL 
  DROP TABLE dbo.Scores; 

Or, for a temporary table you can use

IF OBJECT_ID('tempdb.dbo.#T', 'U') IS NOT NULL
  DROP TABLE #T; 

Other methods:

if exists (select * from INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES where TABLE_NAME = 'Scores' AND TABLE_SCHEMA = 'dbo')
    drop table dbo.Scores;